Ray Hagar: Budget showdown hangs on Horsford's prowess

Jan. 30, 2011

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The 2011 Nevada Legislature doesn't officially begin until Feb. 7, but Democrats and Republicans were already throwing at each other's heads during last week's version of government spring training, the meetings of the Legislative Commission's subcommittee on the budget (or something like that).

What I took away from spring training is this: This 2011 Nevada Legislature boils down to the inevitable Gary Cooper-High Noon showdown between business-friendly Gov. Brian Sandoval and education-advocate Sen. Steven Horsford, the Senate majority leader.

One's from Reno. The other from Las Vegas. Both went to the University of Nevada, Reno. Both are young rock stars of their parties, each with a national political future.

Both agree Nevada's government needs reform. They just have opposite plans on how to get it done.

And of course, the winner and loser will be decided by taxes. Horsford seeks additional revenue for schools. Sandoval was elected on a no-new-taxes platform.

To win, Horsford needs to step up his game. He's got to get better than he was in last year's special session when he lost a telling debate to wily gaming lobbyist Billy Vassiliadis (great political drama) over a proposed increase in gaming fees.

Unlike the 2009 session, Horsford can't count on a super majority in either house. He has no moderate and powerful Republican to help him since the Raja of Reno, Bill Raggio, said adios.

First, Horsford must find a bunch of people to tax in the Great Recession.

Then he's got to mold a bipartisan tax coalition that is strong enough to override the certain tax-hike veto of the Sandman. (I just made up that nickname for Sandoval. Don't know what it means. Recently watched the "Cotton Club" movie.)

The Sandman has to step it up, too. He has a resume that any political climber would die for. But he's never been in this position, being the CEO of a state that leads the nation in financial misery but is a USA bottom feeder in educational rankings.

Horsford seems very intense already. He was not in a good mood when he walked quickly out of the Assembly chambers Monday night after the Sandman's State of the State speech.

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A middle-aged woman from Northern Nevada wanted to get a hug from the Dems' leader and he blew right past her. You could tell Horsford was not immediately up for re-election and that this person didn't live in his district.

Horsford could use a little polish, perhaps, on being political.

But be warned: Horsford's got his swerve on. More importantly, he has the high moral ground: saving the children, saving Nevada's future and saving high school football.

Sandoval represents the established power structure of Nevada, kingmakers like Pete Ernaut. Plus, Republicans own the Governor's Mansion. But is that good enough for an angry populace that can't find a job? Is it good enough for a state government and K-12 teaching work force that will most-assuredly get pay cuts and be told to shut up and be thankful for a job?

A high-ranking state government employee, who knows I went to the same high school as Sandoval, told me last week, "This is your Manogue boy? He's an (expletive deleted) just like Gibbons."

SUNNY SANDOVAL? The Reno Gazette-Journal has a little office in the basement of the state Capitol. That's my headquarters when I work in Carson City. I have noticed that the sun seems to be shining more in the building since Sandoval was elected. For the last few years, the state Capitol has seemed to be ruled by the evil wizard of Isengard.

The state capitol building and its workers seemed cheery when Kenny Guinn was the governor. Then, Controller Kathy Augustine was murdered, Jim Gibbons got elected and the economy went to hell. An ill wind blew through the building, adorned with the ghostly portraits of all past and dead governors. Everybody alive was stressed and worried. And for good reason.

With Gibbons gone, I sense a bit more sunshine. I don't know if it is about Gibbons leaving or Sandoval arriving, but the state Capitol doesn't seem as gloomy, even though the economy is still bad.

Maybe the better nickname for Sandoval is "Sunny." Maybe it is too early to tell.